Wednesday, December 25

Author: Srinidhi Rajagopal

Passionate journalist looking to uncover stories for the world to read. Constantly curious. English language educator. Experienced editor.
As It Faces Global Backlash, Facebook Reports Strong Earnings
28Oct By Srinidhi RajagopalNo Comments
Big Tech, Digital Economy, Types of News: Analysis

As It Faces Global Backlash, Facebook Reports Strong Earnings

Company Faces Scrutiny In India Where Hate Speech Flourished October 28, 2021—The backlash against Facebook's policies continued to make waves internationally this week. But even as the trove of internal documents leaked by whistleblower Frances Haugen reached more journalists, none of that showed up on the company's balance sheet. Strong Profits This week the social networking site declared strong earnings growth and a larger user base. According to the company's reporting, the platform's daily active users increased by a solid 6 percent, year over year, reaching close to 2 billion people. Furthermore, the company's revenue increased 35 percent, from $21 billion in 2020 to $29 billion in 2021. Also, its net profits increased 17 percent, from $7.8 billion to $9.2 billion...
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Russia Severs Ties With NATO After 25 Years
19Oct By Srinidhi RajagopalNo Comments
Diplomacy, Globalization, Global Disintegration, Types of News: Brief

Russia Severs Ties With NATO After 25 Years

October 19, 2021—In another indication of global disintegration, Russia severed its ties with the 30-member NATO alliance. Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced the country's withdrawal on Monday. It came in reaction to NATO expelling eight Russian diplomats from Russia's mission to the alliance earlier this month. NATO had accused the representatives of spying on the Western alliance for Russia. The historic decision to end relations with NATO signifies the growing tensions between Russia and the West, and in particular the NATO alliance. Russia had taken part in NATO’s Partnership for Peace program since 1994. While a formal statement addressing the latest developments from the Russian Foreign Ministry is yet to be released, Lavrov said that urgent issues between Rus...
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Lawmakers Are Drafting Legislation to Regulate Social Media
16Oct By Srinidhi RajagopalNo Comments
Big Tech, Digital Economy, Domestic Politics, Types of News: Analysis

Lawmakers Are Drafting Legislation to Regulate Social Media

Photo by Nathan Dumlao, Unsplash Consumer Protection, Antitrust, Removal Of Liability Protections Are In-Play October 16, 2021—As the pressure grows to regulate the social media industry, lawmakers are drafting numerous bills that would impact social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Twitter and their users. This comes in the wake of revelations made by an ex-Facebook employee turned whistleblower, Frances Haugen, at a Senate Commerce Subcommittee hearing. Committee members and their staff are exploring consumer protection issues involved with large internet platforms Already, senators have referred nearly a dozen bills to the full committee for review. About half of those focus on protecting consumers and their information. Other bills would amend a...
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Facebook’s Server Goes Down As Firm Faces Congressional Heat, Widespread Criticism
4Oct By Srinidhi RajagopalNo Comments
Big Tech, Digital Economy, Types of News: Brief

Facebook’s Server Goes Down As Firm Faces Congressional Heat, Widespread Criticism

Facebook Whistleblower Reveals Identity, Testifies on TuesdayOctober 4, 2021—Francis Haugen, a former Facebook employee who gave a series of interviews and internal documents to the Wall Street Journal about the company's practices, is seeking whistleblower protection from the Securities and Exchange Commission, the paper reported on Sunday. As the company faces perhaps its highest level of criticism yet since the disclosures released around the 2016 U.S. election, Facebook suffered a worldwide outage on Monday along with its Instagram and WhatsApp platforms. As of Monday afternoon, it was not clear what caused the massive outage. Facebook Exposed Haugen exposed explosive information about the social media giant. Her interviews on WSJ and CBS News revealed shocking details a...
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Egypt Aims To Deescalate Tensions Between Israel-Hamas
30Sep By Srinidhi RajagopalNo Comments
Diplomacy, Foreign Aid, International Development, Middle East

Egypt Aims To Deescalate Tensions Between Israel-Hamas

U.S. National Security Envoy Met With Egyptian Leader In Cairo To Discuss Aid, Regional Issues September 30, 2021—Amid rising tensions between Israel and Hamas as well as violence in the Occupied Palestinian territories, U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, flew to Cairo, Egypt to meet with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi on Wednesday. The meetings covered a variety of bilateral and regional issues, according to reporting by the UAE-based The National. They discussed Libya's political roadmap, the situations in Syria, Iraq, Yemen and Tunisia, and ideas to revive the Israel-Palestinian peace talks. Reconstruction of the Gaza Strip Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi is hoping to once again lay the groundwork for peace in neighboring Israel and Palestinian t...
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Taliban Seeks UN Recognition, Says It Has Its Own Income Sources
24Sep By Srinidhi RajagopalNo Comments
Diplomacy, Foreign Aid, International Development, Types of News: Brief

Taliban Seeks UN Recognition, Says It Has Its Own Income Sources

At The Same Time, The Taliban Rejects 'Interference' And Rights Of Women And Girls September 24, 2021—Just as the world is coming to terms with a complete takeover of the Taliban in Afghanistan, the organization has written a request to join the talks at the ongoing United Nations General Assembly. Challenges Expected The unexpected request, which was addressed to the U.N. Secretary-General, is an example of the political challenges the Taliban now face.  According to reporting by the Associated Press, the U.N. committee that generally meets in November will issue a ruling “in due course.” The bigger issue is how to gain legitimacy after forcefully taking over the country in the vacuum of power left by U.S. and NATO forces. It's true the former Afghan government and mil...
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India Raises Concerns About Rising Regional Extremism
17Sep By Srinidhi RajagopalNo Comments
Diplomacy, Geopolitics, Types of News: Brief

India Raises Concerns About Rising Regional Extremism

September 17, 2021—Meeting with regional leaders in Tajikistan today, India Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed concern that the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan could exacerbate extremism in the area. "I believe the biggest challenges in this area are related to peace, security and a trust deficit," Modi said. "The root cause of these problems is the increasing radicalization. Afghanistan has made this challenge more clear." Taliban Influence Abroad Diplomatic leaders in India's capital New Delhi are apprehensive about the growing influence of the Taliban in Afghanistan and the progress of peace talks between the two countries. The biggest challenges India faces as a result of the Taliban takeover in Kabul, seem to be peace, security and trust deficit. The Indian Exter...
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